The Fine Jewelry & Watch Guide
Our destination for expert advice on your precious investments.
FINE
JEWELRY
Discover the world of haute couture pieces.
SHOP NOW
WHAT IT IS...
Fine jewelry is a world of rare, special pieces that come from some of the most prestigious jewelry houses in the world. These pieces showcase the finest craftsmanship and techniques.
TYPES OF METALS
The variety of metals used to design jewelry allows for versatility and affordability. The most traditional material used is gold, ranging from 14K-22K. Platinum, which is rarer than gold, has a soft white hue that complements diamonds and gemstones. Sterling silver can range from bright white to soft white, and is the most affordable of all the metals.
#SaksStyle Tip
To avoid tangling and scratching, store your jewelry in individual pouches.
GEMSTONES
Colorful and vibrant, gemstones add variety to any jewelry collection. Like diamonds, they're graded by the 4 Cs. Color affects a gemstone's value-the brighter and more vivid, the better. Clarity is the appearance of imperfections in the gem. Some gems, like emerald and red tourmaline, can have more imperfections than others. Carat determines the price of the gemstone. Gems differ in density, so similarly-sized stones may differ greatly in cost. Cut reveals a stone's beauty. A well-cut gem evenly reflects light back across its surface area when held face up.
MAINTENANCE
Fine jewelry requires special attention. To clean gold, mix a few drops of detergent-free soap with warm water and soak jewelry, then use a very soft brush to lightly clean each piece. Finish by rinsing and lightly drying jewelry with a lint-free cloth. To clean sterling silver, use a special silver cloth in a back-and-forth motion that mirrors the silver's grain. If you don't have a silver cloth, use a microfiber or non-abrasive cloth.
WATCHES
All the essential information you need for your timepiece.
SHOP NOW
MAINTENANCE
To preserve watch longevity, regular servicing is important. The standard frequency of service is every 2-5 years, but the standard can vary based on the watch model, the climate and the owner's individual use.
#SaksStyle Tip
To find your size, measure the circumference of your wrist. If your wrist is between 6-7 inches, select a small or medium watch with a diameter of 38mm, 40mm or 42mm. If your wrist is 7.5 inches and above, choose a larger case, such as 44-46mm. Choose your watch based on your personal style preference.
MOVEMENTS
Quartz watches are powered by a battery that should last for 1-2 years, and do not require winding. Displays can include analog watch faces or digital dials.
Mechanical watches run on kinetic energy. Choose between an automatic mechanical watch, powered by movement, or a manual mechanical watch, powered by winding the knob daily.
CASES
Watch cases can vary in size, shape and material. The watch's dial, bezel and back components can range from round to square, gold to platinum and small to oversized. Bezels, the top ring that surrounds the crystal, can be functional (for diving or timing) or aesthetic (set with diamonds or gemstones).
DIAMONDS
Learn about the 4 Cs of diamonds.
SHOP NOW
CUT 101
A diamond is categorized by its cut and shape. The arrangement of the diamond's facets and its ability to reflect light refers to its cut- determining how much the diamond sparkles. The shape refers to appearance and style, as seen from the top of the diamond. When a diamond is cut to the proper proportions and symmetry, light will be beautifully reflected from the top of the stone. If the cut is too deep or shallow, light will escape from the sides or bottom of the diamond.
CLARITY 101
A diamond's clarity is based on the number and location of inclusions. The less inclusions a diamond has, the higher the clarity grade will be. The 10 clarity grades range from flawless (FL) to slightly included (S12) grades, which are diamonds that display small imperfections visible to the eye.
CARATS 101
Diamonds are sized by their weight in metric carats. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams and each carat is measured precisely to the 100th decimal place. The larger the diamond, the rarer it is.
COLOR 101
The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) has a grading system that lays out color on a scale of D-Z. D refers to pure white diamonds, and Z refers to yellow or brownish diamonds. On separate scales, there are other colors like yellows, pinks and blues.